Everyone has off days. It’s normal to feel grouchy, sad or just a bit ‘meh.’ But when your off days start to outnumber your good days, you could be struggling with depression.
Depression is a mental health condition that affects your mood, making you feel flat, numb, irritable or sad. It lasts longer than normal shifts in your mood, and it can make it tough to do everyday things like spending time with your friends, working, going to school, or taking care of yourself. Anyone, from any background, can get depressed. It can happen for no clear reason, or it could be triggered by something tough that you’re going through.
If you think you might be depressed, support is out there and we’re here to help you find it. If you’re not sure whether what you’re feeling is depression, that’s okay too. You don’t need to have it all figured out before asking for help.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a kind of depression that comes and goes with the seasons. It’s common to get it in winter, but people get symptoms in the summer too.
Lots of people find their mood is affected by changes in the weather – like the colder or hotter temperatures or the shorter and darker days – but if it’s making you feel low a lot of the time, it could be a sign of seasonal depression.
Everyone’s experience of depression is different, but here are some common signs:
Whether you’ve got one, more, or all of these symptoms, the important thing is to get help.
It’s common to get anxiety and depression together. Some of the symptoms are the same, like:
If you’re struggling with anxiety, find help in our guide.
If you think you’re dealing with depression, speak to someone you trust, like a friend, family member, teacher, or anyone you feel comfortable with. Sharing how you’re feeling is often the first step to getting better.
If you’re worried others won’t get it, contact a helpline instead. Your feelings are valid and sharing them with someone who understands can really help.
Speaking to your GP can feel scary, but they can help you get the right support. They’ll talk you through what support is available and what happens next. What support you can get on the NHS depends on your age:
Your GP can refer you to an adult mental health service, or you can often self-refer to NHS talking therapies.
If you’re a student, you may be able to get counselling through your college or university.
If you’re working, check if your workplace has an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). These services are there to help you stay well and supported at work. Speak to your HR department to find out more.
When you’re feeling depressed, it’s tough to imagine getting better. But treatment is out there. With the right help, you’ll start feeling like yourself again.
The two most common treatments for depression are talking therapy and medication, and they’re often used together.
Talking therapy is when you talk about your thoughts, feelings and life experiences with a trained professional, either on your own or in a group. This helps you spot unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, and gives you the tools to change those patterns.
There are different kinds of talking therapy used for depression, like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and counselling. Your GP or therapist will help you find what’s right for you.
Your doctor might suggest antidepressant medication to treat your depression. These can make you feel better, but they’re unlikely to deal with the root of the problem. That’s why doctors often pair medication with talking therapy.
There are lots of different types of antidepressants, and people respond to them in different ways. The most common type is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like citalopram, sertraline and fluoxetine.
Getting support for depression is important, but there are also things you can do for yourself that can help. This can be really tough when you’re feeling low, but it’s important to try.
Different things work for different people, so you’ll need to find what works for you – here are some tips from other young people like you:
Luca, 23, says: "It’s very easy with depression to feel like you’re experiencing it alone, but depression tends to thrive on someone being isolated. It can be extremely useful to reach out and talk to someone about what you’re feeling.”
Samara, 18, says: “I’ve used writing to create fantasy worlds, to analyse subjects that matter to me, and create a character to explore my own trauma. My writing has helped me make sense of the anxiety, stress and depression I’ve experienced through my adolescent years allowing me to come to peace with who I am as a person.”
Supporting someone with depression is tough, but there are things you can do to help.
Sometimes just talking about our problems and feeling heard can really help. It’s not always easy to hear that someone we care about has been struggling but try to just listen without judgement and avoid offering solutions unless they ask.
If they say they’re struggling, encourage them to speak to a doctor. If they’re nervous about seeing their GP, offer to go with them for moral support.
Little wins matter a lot for someone battling depression. Whether it’s getting out of bed, taking a shower or going to the shops, notice those wins and let them know you’re proud.
Socialising can be tough if you’re struggling with depression, but spending time with people who care about you can help. Find low-pressure activities you can do together, like watching a movie or gaming.
It’s great that you want to help but remember it’s not up to you to fix everything. Take time for yourself and look after your own wellbeing too.
If you think they might be in danger or thinking about suicide, don’t try to handle it alone – get help straight away. Find out where to get help.
It’s easy to feel as though you’re being a burden by telling someone when you’re struggling, but it’s important to remember that these are shared moments. It was not just a case of me venting without any input or interaction from her. She understood me more as a person, and sharing on such a personal level helped us become even closer as friends.
If you're feeling down right now, don't bottle it up and struggle alone. Here are some services that can help.
Whatever you're going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support. N.B. This is a listening service and does not offer advice or intervention.
Offers confidential advice and support for young people struggling with suicidal thoughts, as well as family and friends; and information about how to make a safety plan.
Its helpline service - HOPELINE247 - is available to anybody under the age of 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts, or anybody concerned that a young person could be thinking of suicide.
There is a chat service available on the website.
Provides support to anyone aged 16+ who is feeling down and needs to talk or find information.
Free webchat service available.
Read information about the helpline and how it works.
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.
Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.
Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.
Text SHOUT to 85258.
Shout provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis.
All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.
Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
Texts can be anonymous, but if the volunteer believes you are at immediate risk of harm, they may share your details with people who can provide support.
This page was reviewed in November 2025.
It was co-created with young people with experience of depression.
We will next review the page in 2028.
YoungMinds is a proud member of PIF TICK – the UK's quality mark for trusted health information.
Whether you love the page or think something is missing, we appreciate your feedback. It all helps us to support more young people with their mental health.
Please be aware that this form isn’t a mental health support service. If you are in crisis right now and want to talk to someone urgently, find out who to contact on our urgent help page.
